She said she came to the decision after realizing she best belongs "in a single school, where I can use my talents as an educator to really help shape students and teachers" although some said privately her departure is indicative of a school system that too often discourages qualified educators by swamping them with bureaucratic paperwork.

The Department of Education plans to appoint an interim-acting superintendent who'll work alongside her through the fall semester, but SILive readers -- some of them school parents and teachers -- told us she'll be a tough act to follow.

"Anyone who worked for or with Ms. Jenkins is one lucky person. Any child who attends or attended, a school run by her, is even luckier," declared Crossfitmom. "She is a caring, intelligent person who only has the students' best interests in mind."

"I can not express how profoundly sad I am to hear of Ms. Jenkins leaving the students of Staten Island. She was a breath of fresh air that was sorely needed in this area. She raised the bar for both students and teachers," offered foundingparent.

Teacher and reader CGWoww who worked with Ms. Jenkins, called her a "caring administrator who knew the staff and students inside out and treated us with a respect that only a few principals I have seen show."

"Amazing boss, amazing person," added Teachkidsnyc, who said her decision to leave "speaks to her dedication to students."

"Students, parents and staff of any school that gets Ms. Jenkins as a principal should consider themselves very lucky; I respect any administrator who feels their true place is among students in a small, familiar setting," wrote lisakleo.

"The new superintendent has big shoes to fill," opined teacher and SILive reader class1004. "Ms. Jenkins was a pleasure to have in our schools. She had the utmost respect for teachers and the work we do. . .Our loss, their gain."